Metallic sole for boots and shoes.



No. 874,171. vPATENTED DEG. 17, 1907.

J. A. DONAHUE. METALLIC SOLEFOR BOTS AND SHOES.

APPLICATION FILEDNOV. 30. 1906.

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JAMES ARTHUR DONAHUE, OF EVERETT, WASHINGTON.

METALLIC SOLE FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 17', 1907.

Application filed November 30. 1906. Serial No. 345,707.

, sentially of a boot or shoe having a particular form of metal sole,heel and counter to rene der a shoe or boot strong and durable and toresist wear.

The invention consists of a thin plate of spring metal applied to thesole and extend-I ing fully from the toe to the breast of the heel,metal strips secured in a transverse direction over the metal plate andbent up at opposite sides to protect the edge of the sole and theadjacent part of the shoe or boot upper, and a metal heel and counter,the coun ter being provided with a protecting strip grooved at its upperedge to receive fastening stitches which are passed through or into theshoe or boot. In some instances it is proposed to supply the sole withspikes and at other times to provide the strips extending transverselyover the same With either roughened surfaces or .hob-nail proj ections.-

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view of a sole of a boot or shoeembodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinalvertical section of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail perspective viewsof portions of the shoe sole, showing still further modifications. Fig.5 is a plan view of a portion of the sole showing spikes used inconnection therewith.

Like characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews.

The numeral 1 designates a thin leather sole which primarily forms apart of the shoe or boot to which the improved features are applied, andsecured thereover is a thin sheet metal covering 2 for Water proofingpurposes, this covering being turned up at the edges over the sole as at3. Extending transversely across the thin sheet metal plate are lightmetal strips 4 of aluminium and having their opposite extremities bentat an angle and projected over the shoe sole to Yprotect the latter andthe adjacent part of the upper. As shown by Fig. 3 these metal strips 4are provided with roughened tread surfaces 5, or as illustrated by Fig.4, with hob-nails or projections 6 to provide an anti-slipping means.The sole may also in some instances be further provided. with spikes 7,as shown by Fig. 5 to adapt the attachment for use by loggers.

One of the most important features of the invention is a hollow metalheel 8 which replaces the ordinary shoe or boot heel and has a metalcounter 9 connected therewith, the heel and counter being alsopreferably constructed from aluminium or any other suit able lightmetal. At its upper edges the counter is provided with a series ofstitch openings 10 which are guarded by outstanding flanges 11 forming astitch groove 12. The counter and the heel are secured to the shoe orboot upper by passing stitchesthrough the openings or holes 10 and theshoe or boot body, and these stitches are protected by the flanges 11and lie within the groove 12 and are thus shielded from abrasion orinjury.

It is necessary that the heel be secured. to the usual tread lift of aboot or shoe, and for this purpose an opening 13 is formed in the treadof the metal heel through which fastening nails or analogous devices maybe inserted and are driven through the top plate 14 of the said metalheel into the boot or shoe heel.- After these fastenings are driven intothe boot or shoe heel through the plate 14 of the metal heel, theopening 13 is closed by a slide plate 15 mounted to it guide ilanges 16,the slide plate after it is closed being removably held by set screw 17in opposite sides.

By using a thin metal covering 2 for the sole of the boot or shoe, theelasticity of said sole is not materially modified, but is about similaror equivalent to that of an ordinary heavy boot or shoe usually worn byminers, logger men or others working on rough material, such as gravelbedsdand in stone quar ries. It will be observed that the metal strips 4serve as a reinforcing means and are applied in transverse directionsand, therefore, do not interfere with the action of the foot in walkingor impose any inconvenience or stiffness on the foot of the wearer.

The improved shoe as an entirety is a good deal lighter and muchstronger than miners and like shoes now in use, -and the wearing qualityof ordinary min ers shoes is materially increased.

There are many methods of applying the spikes 7 and it is intended toadopt any of the approved methods now commonly employed and operating toprevent an accidental disyielding metallic plate for covering the entiresole, the said plate being marginally bent to engage With the sole andlock the saine to the latter, a plurality of metal strips arrangedtransversely against kthe metal plate at one side and in parallelism andhaving their ends bent at an angle to protect the edge of the sole, anda heel section associated With the foot-Wear.

2. In combination With shoe or boot Wear, having a sole of relativelylight material, of a yielding metallic plate for covering the entiresole the said plate being marginally bent to engage With the sole andlock the same to the latter, a plurality of metal strips arrangedtransversely against the metal plate at one side and in parallelism andhaving their ends bent at an angle to protect the edge of the sole7 anda heel section associated With the boot or shoe Wear, and a plurality ofprojections on each of the transverse metal strips.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES ARTHUR DONAHUE. Witnesses:

R. M. MITCHELLI N. N. BUTTS.

